Blog
Welcome to my new website's Blog page! Check here periodically for news, articles and maybe some family and event photos.
I welcome your comments and suggestions! Please e-mail me at kyle.e.murphy@lpl.com.
Helium Prices Are Up, Up, and Away
If you were planning to use balloons for a celebration this summer, you might want to start thinking about other, less expensive decorations. Helium spot prices have more than doubled since the Middle East crisis started in February....
Read More3 Moves High Earners Should Consider Right Now
If you’re earning low to mid six figures but feel your assets don’t reflect your earning power, here are three ideas to help you build your wealth: • Invest beyond your 401(k). Consider an individual retirement account (IRA) or...
Read MoreHappy Older Americans Month!
May is a month to celebrate the older Americans in our country and honor their lives and the accomplishments they still have ahead of them. Older Americans Month was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy to bring awareness...
Read MoreMay is Small Business Month
Every May, Small Business Month is dedicated to honoring small businesses, recognizing their dedication, community contributions, and relentless hard work. Small businesses play a crucial role in the United States' economy. According...
Read MoreMake Time After Tax Time
Taxes can be a snapshot of our money, and tax season can make most of us feel like we have a clear view of that photo. That's because filing taxes is both a look at the past and a chance to create a roadmap for the future.Did you end...
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Weekly Market Insights | Records Fall as S&P 500 Tops 7,100
Stocks rallied last week as investor enthusiasm built for an end to the war in the Middle East and hopes of a resumption of normal global trade. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 4.54 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked...
Read MoreFinancial Literacy Month - Defining SMART Financial Goals
Are your financial goals well-defined? While "I want to have lots of money" may sound like a great goal, it's just too vague. How much is "lots?" If you don’t know … how will you know when you have it? And will the "lots" of today be...
Read MoreWhen the Tassel Turns, Finances Can Shift
Caps, gowns, and a lot of proud families can mean only one thing: graduation season has officially arrived.Big transitions have a funny way of quietly rewriting your financial priorities. New tuition bills, a kid moving out, or a...
Read MorePostmark policy changes that may affect you...
In late December 2025, the IRS and U.S. Postal Service clarified how mail is postmarked, which may affect how contributions are credited for tax reporting purposes.What’s changed?A postmark now reflects when an envelope enters USPS...
Read MoreA Fresh Start For Spring
The arrival of spring often brings that strong urge to start fresh. This season of renewal is a great reminder to apply the same focus to your personal finances.
Read MoreUnderstanding Long-Term Care
To help you better align your financial plan with paying for long-term care, it’s beneficial to understand what long-term care can include. Long-term care is usually defined as a series of ongoing services and support provided to a...
Read MorePaying for Long-Term Care Could Cost Others
Because Medicare doesn’t pay for long-term care, creating a financial strategy with your savings or long-term care insurance can seem overwhelming.
Read MoreLife Insurance at an Early Age
Perhaps you’ve heard the maxim, “Preparation is the key to success.” But when it comes to life insurance, knowing when to prepare is almost more important than the preparation, itself.Sure, it can be difficult to think about life...
Read MoreWant to get connected?
Want to get connected?We wanted to let you know about a another way to connect with us, on your own time, through our social media channels.Our Facebook and LinkedIn pages feature helpful financial information, including top-quality...
Read More2026 Federal Tax Updates Announced
When the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act was passed on July 4, the legislation left several unanswered questions that the IRS is now addressing. The IRS undergoes this process every year, but this time around, the OBBB has added to...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2026
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released new limits for certain retirement accounts for the coming year.
Read MoreHow did this year change your financial goals?
The New Year is often a time to reflect on the past year. Almost any change you experienced — no matter how insignificant it may seem — could have an impact on your financial strategy for retirement.
Read MoreHow Much Will I Need to Retire?
Your retirement strategy is a journey that requires foresight, diligence, and a clear understanding of your financial needs. While there's no one-size-fits-all rule for determining how much you need to retire, ...
Read MoreHalloween Memories from the Murphys
Our kids are growing up, but we still love celebrating Halloween as a family. Please share your photos with me at kyle.e.murphy@lpl.com. It's a great way to connect and stay in touch.
Read MoreWhat's the Purpose of a Retirement Strategy?
“What’s the purpose of a retirement strategy?” It’s a simple question, but most get the answer wrong.
Read More3 Critical Words: Adjusted for Inflation
“Adjusted for inflation” is a phrase you may think isn’t important. But when you see it in action, you might change your mind. Let’s examine how “adjusted for inflation” has affected a couple of tax rules and their impact on Social...
Read MorePlaying Catch Up
Have you saved enough? Whether you started late, or have regularly saved throughout your career, you might wish you could stash some additional cash in your retirement fund. Fortunately, if you’re 50 or older, you can. The IRS offers...
Read MoreBeing "Unretired" Ready
In a recent study*, about 1 in 6 retirees in America are considering unretiring and getting some kind of job. Whether you’re considering going back to work or believe you will need or want a part-time job in retirement, talk to a...
Read MoreSummer Vacation...
I hope you've been able to enjoy some fun times with special friends and family this summer. We've had lots of swim meets and were blessed to make more beach memories. Stay tuned for back-to-school photos coming soon...
Read MoreCalculating Your Social Security Benefits
Whether retirement is years away or on the horizon, understanding how much income your Social Security benefits will provide can be confusing. Your Social Security benefit calculation is based on the number of years you worked and the...
Read MoreHow an HSA Can Help Your Retirement
Even if retirement is years away for you, consider adding a Health Savings Account (HSA) to your retirement strategy. An HSA lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses when it is partnered with a...
Read MoreGet help navigating finances while navigating your world...
Right now, you may be dealing with several career and family decisions — and all those choices impact your short- and long-term financial goals. It’s important that your financial strategy matches your values and offers you the...
Read MoreFinancial Goals: How to Get Started
Creating and working toward financial goals can seem overwhelming, especially if you’ve never really tried before. But just like any goal, you take it one step at a time and build progress over time. To help, ask for the EMERGE help...
Read More3 Moves High Earners Should Consider Right Now
If you’re earning low to mid six figures but feel your assets don’t reflect your earning power, here are three ideas to help you build your wealth: • Invest beyond your 401(k). Consider an individual retirement account (IRA) or...
Read MoreMaking the most of your prime working years
Even though Gen X is sometimes labeled “America’s Middle Child,” the truth is you’re all grown up. You’re in your prime earning years and should be focused on retirement down the road. It’s also true that you’ve also been through...
Read MoreHello from The Diamond!
We enjoyed a Richmond Flying Squirrels game recently before the REAL summer heat kicked in. If you've been to a game this season, please share your photos in an e-mail to kyle.e.murphy@lpl.com.
Read MoreIs It Smarter to Buy or Rent a Second Home?
As summer approaches, your thoughts may drift toward escaping your daily routine. Whether your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting on a pristine beach, fishing in a mountain lake, or playing the back nine between pickleball matches,...
Read MoreAre You On The Move??
America is a country on the move. Each year, around 10% of the U.S. population changes homes. And of those, while 85% stay in state, 15% move to a new state (according to the U.S. Census Bureau). As moving across state lines might be...
Read MoreSummertime Checkup
Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters. Here are some questions to ask yourself mid-year. Goals still the same this year? Has market...
Read MoreMurphy Family Photos - May 2025
Happy last day of school to this crazy bunch and everyone else in Henrico County. Also appreciate all the hard work from all the teachers and administration. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed. And as my wife’s shirt says “admit it,...
Read MoreManaging IRA Contributions
Managing your traditional or Roth IRA each year is a powerful step toward building your retirement strategy. In 2025, you can contribute up to $7,000—or $8,000 if you're 50 or older (depending on your modified adjusted gross income)....
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